Uf Fires Football Coach Zook

FLORIDA FIRES RON ZOOK

Many Are Buzzing About Steve Spurrier In The Search For A Gators Replacement.

October 26, 2004|By Jeff Darlington, Sentinel Staff Writer

GAINESVILLE -- The University of Florida fired football coach Ron Zook on Monday, creating an immediate swell of speculation about whether Steve Spurrier will retake the throne as the Gators' coach.

Zook will coach the Gators for the remaining four games of the season before Florida buys out the four years left on his contract at nearly $450,000 annually. Athletic Director Jeremy Foley said it hasn't been decided whether Zook would coach if Florida is in a bowl game.

Zook faced constant criticism during his 21/2 seasons at Florida. The Gators are 20-13 during his tenure, with games against Georgia, Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Florida State remaining this season.

"In the final analysis, it was apparent to me that something's not working here," Foley said. "I know that's kind of nebulous, but it's the truth. It's hard to put a finger on it exactly, but it certainly just didn't appear to be working as we all envisioned."

Spurrier, the coach who preceded Zook and led the Gators to a national championship in 1996 and six Southeastern Conference titles, spent Monday on the golf course at Heathrow Country Club in Seminole County. Spurrier already has been mentioned as a candidate to replace Zook.

"I'll cross that bridge if it comes to that," Spurrier told the Sentinel. "One thing I've tried to do all this year is not be lingering around acting like I'm waiting for another guy's job. I don't believe that's the right way to do it.

"But now that he [Zook] doesn't have a job, I guess there will be some discussions. We'll see what happens."

Spurrier called the decision to fire Zook in midseason a "little strange . . . but that's the direction the AD [athletic director] and president wanted to go."

He said he hadn't been contacted by any school or any athletic director. "I've tried to stay low and out of everybody's way," said Spurrier, who resigned after last season as coach of the National Football League's Washington Redskins. "I've had no contact with anybody anywhere. This will play out in due time."

Foley, who will work closely with new UF President Bernie Machen during the search, did not give a timetable as to when a coach will be hired.

"We'll talk to Steve," Foley said. "But to do the job for the University of Florida that's right for the program, you've got to cover all bases and make sure you're hiring the right person. That might be Steve. Time will tell.

"You've got to go through that process. We'll have some honest conversations with Steve, and we'll go from there."

Machen said Foley will develop a list of potential candidates, a list that is expected to include Utah coach Urban Meyer. One person who will not be on the list is Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who said in a statement Monday that he is happy where he is.

"My job is at Oklahoma, and I've always said I've felt privileged to coach here," said Stoops, who served as the Gators' defensive coordinator from 1996-98 under Spurrier before accepting the Oklahoma job. "That's where my full concentration and commitment are."

Meyer has a distinct connection with Florida: Machen was president at Utah when Meyer was hired after the 2002 season. In addition, Machen's wife remains close friends with Meyer's wife.

Machen and Foley said there won't be discussions with any coach until after their seasons end. That almost certainly would mean late December or early January.

"We're serious about not infringing upon the active coaches," Machen said.

When asked specifically about Meyer, Machen said, "He's got a pretty good deal in Utah, and it got even better after I left. He's a good man. He has a great family. I think he's doing a great job at Utah."

Meyer makes $500,000 annually, and his contract has a $250,000 buyout if he leaves for any school other than Michigan, Ohio State or Notre Dame.

Florida will not pursue any NFL assistants during the coaching search, Machen said. Zook became the Gators' coach after serving as the defensive coordinator for the NFL's New Orleans Saints.

Zook, who recently was involved in a highly publicized confrontation with several fraternity members, likely sealed his fate when his Gators fell 38-31 to Mississippi State on Saturday. Mississippi State had been 1-5 before the game and had ranked last in the nation in total offense.

After the game, Machen -- who was golfing in North Carolina on Saturday -- spoke to Foley by cell phone. Foley suggested it was time for a change. Machen told Foley to sleep on it, then spoke by phone again to Foley on Sunday morning. Then, at about 6 p.m. Sunday, Machen said he and Foley met at the president's house, and the decision was made to fire Zook. Foley and Machen met with Zook on Monday morning at the president's house to tell him of the decision.

"We told him it was the direction we felt we needed to go," Foley said. "Coach Zook is a pro. Is he happy? Of course not. He's a competitor. But he's a pro, and he's handled it in a first-class way."

Zook, attempting to hold back tears, stared at his feet for nearly five seconds while addressing reporters during a news conference Monday afternoon to announce his termination.

"I want to thank all of our players," Zook said, fighting to hold his composure. "Particularly these seniors."

He paused again, staring at the ground.

"We've been together for a long time."

Zook did not field questions after reading his statement.

Foley said he kept Zook for the rest of the season because he thought the coach deserved it.

"The guy has been here for three years," Foley said. "He's worked extremely hard. It would be inappropriate for him not to finish the season."